Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Ann Arbor, MI to Kent City, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 50m

Distance

150.6 mi

242 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

13 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Ann Arbor, MI, MI

Ann Arbor, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Kent City, MI, MI

Kent City, MI

Emre

Trip Overview

The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Kent City, MI covers 150.6 miles and takes about 2h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 96, US 23 BUS, M-37 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116.3 miles on I 96. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.54 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

75.3 miles from Ann Arbor, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 116.3 mi 2h 4m
US 23 BUS 14.9 mi 16m
M-37 8.7 mi 11m
Alpine Avenue Northwest 5.1 mi 7m
North Main Street 1.2 mi 2m
M 14 1.1 mi 1m
South Ball Creek Road 0.6 mi 1m
M 37 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 116.3 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Kent City, MI.

1

Start on South State Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · South State Street
2

Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Huron Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn right onto US 23 BUS

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
4

Take the ramp onto US 23 BUS

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 23 BUS
Toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit
5

Merge onto M 14; US 23 BUS

1.1 mi · 1 min · M 14; US 23 BUS
6

Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS

15 mi · 15 min · US 23 BUS
Toward US 23 North: Flint Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 60B Toward I 96 West: Lansing Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 96 West: Lansing, Brighton, Spencer Road
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 96 West: Lansing
10

Merge onto I 96

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 96
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

55 mi · 58 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

54 mi · 57 min · I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37

6.6 mi · 7 min · I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit onto M 37

0.4 mi · 51 sec · M 37
Exit 30B Toward M 37 North: Newaygo Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto M 37

5.1 mi · 7 min · Alpine Avenue Northwest
16

Turn straight onto M 37

8.7 mi · 11 min · M-37
Use the left / straight lanes.
17

Turn right onto Phelps Avenue Northwest

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Phelps Avenue Northwest
18

Continue on South Ball Creek Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Ball Creek Road
19

Turn right onto South Main Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · South Main Street
20

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.3 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 33 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 75.3 miles or 1h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kent City, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ann Arbor, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ann Arbor, MI

This is one driving day of about 150.6 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Ann Arbor, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 116.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Grand Ledge, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grand Ledge, MI

75 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Howell, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grand Ledge, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.3 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1 mi

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.4 mi

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.5 mi

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+17348004135

Visit website

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17342229202

Visit website

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

Zingerman's Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17349296060

Visit website

Dozer Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17349295217

Visit website

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17343692494

Visit website

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17347807060

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17345445450

Visit website

517 Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 64.6

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15175745573

Visit website

Black Diesel Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17344368355

Visit website

Qahwah House Coffee - Grand Rapids

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 129.1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16162449419

Visit website

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 21.5

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

Visit website

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Portland Rest Area 531

0.1 mi from route

Saranac Rest Area 532

0.1 mi from route

Howell Rest Area 812

0.1 mi from route

Grand Ledge Rest Area 825

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Northfield Church Rest Area 814

0.2 mi from route

Okemos Rest Area 811

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

ONE9 Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.1 mi from route

Holt Rest Area 810

1.1 mi from route

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 129.1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16169571580

Visit website

Harris Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 53.8

Okemos, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15173493866

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Fish Ladder Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 129.1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16164563696

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 75.3

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

Zap Zone at BIG Best In Games - Ypsilanti

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+17349306670

Visit website

Camelot Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 129.1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16164563232

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 135.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 23 BUS

Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS toward US 23 North: Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 23 North: Flint
7
17.9 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward I 96 West: Lansing

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 60B Toward I 96 West: Lansing
7
74.9 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
8
128.6 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in | I 96; M 37

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37 toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
7
135.2 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | M 37

Take the exit onto M 37 toward M 37 North: Newaygo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 30B Toward M 37 North: Newaygo

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.54 one way

$47.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.85 $51.70
premium $4.89 $28.98 $57.96
diesel $5.61 $33.25 $66.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Gigahub, Briarwood Cir, Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor, MI

BP_PULSE

20 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Ypsilanti, MI

Tesla

12 DCFC

Target T0634 (Ann Arbor, MI)

Ann Arbor, MI

Electrify America

8 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Ann Arbor, MI

Tesla

8 DCFC

WASHTENAW BP 1

Ann Arbor, MI

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

WCC HFC HFC4

Ann Arbor, MI

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

MEIJER STORES 064 SALINE RD 2

Ann Arbor, MI

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

WASHTENAW BP 2

Ann Arbor, MI

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 9 Tesla: 2 Electrify America: 1 BP_PULSE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.2 0 $15.81 $7.23
Efficient EV 37.7 0 $13.18 $6.02
EV Truck/SUV 60.2 0 $21.08 $9.64

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Ann Arbor, MI

Afternoon in Ann Arbor on Sunday

Local time

12:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

W 8 to 16 mph 60% chance Live forecast

Destination

Kent City, MI

Afternoon in Kent City on Sunday

Local time

12:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 50m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

150.6 mi in 2h 50m, mostly highway — 116.3 mi of that is on I 96.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.3 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 23 BUS. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near US 23 BUS.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 150.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Ann Arbor, MI and Kent City, MI, road signs point toward Brighton, M 37 North: Muskegon and M 37 North: Newaygo.

Brighton

18.3 mi in | ~22m

M 37 North: Muskegon

128.6 mi in | ~2h 21m | via I 96; M 37

M 37 North: Newaygo

135.2 mi in | ~2h 28m | via M 37

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 150.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 116.3 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kent City, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kent City, MI before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Kent City, MI to Ann Arbor, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

150.2 mi 2h 49m

Continue From Kent City, MI

Sterling Heights, MI 181.9 mi · 3h 22m Macomb, MI 179.3 mi · 3h 29m Livonia, MI 161.2 mi · 3h 1m Flint, MI 131.8 mi · 2h 26m

More from Ann Arbor, MI

Republic, MI 473.6 mi · 8h 55m Kingsley, MI 426.9 mi · 7h 51m Au Train, MI 408.3 mi · 7h 28m Drummond, MI 345.2 mi · 6h 57m Manistee, MI 238.1 mi · 4h 34m Amber, MI 228.8 mi · 4h 7m
Escape planner: Ann Arbor, MI Scenic drives in MI

Explore more options from Ann Arbor, MI or browse trips ending in Kent City, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.